(STOCK PHOTO)
With March being recognized at Fraud Prevention Month, Winnipeg police are dedicating this week to raise awareness of frauds targeting seniors.
One of the most widely-known scams targeting the elderly is the grandparent emergency scam, in which a person pretending to be a grandchild calls a victim and asks for money to help with a problem.
Police say money is often transfered via wire transfer and cannot be recovered once picked up by the fraudster. The best way to prevent being a victim is open communication with family members, who you can call directly to ask if a relative is in trouble.
Police offer these tips to seniors:
- Don’t be afraid to say NO.
- Take time to collect more information before making a decision.
- Ask advice from someone you trust.
- Make sure all your questions are answered.
- Don’t feel pressured into committing before you have a chance to think things over or collect additional information.
- Don’t give out any personal information to anyone you do not know or trust.
- Ignore and delete suspicious emails asking for money transfers or personal information.
To report a fraud or scam, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
The main event for Fraud Prevention Month is free document shredding at St. Vital Centre on March 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Look for the Shred-It van in the parking lot. There is a maximum of two bags or boxes per person.
